In this article, we unpack what this funding covers, who can apply, and why it matters more than ever. The money comes through two major EU funding programmes - the Digital Europe Programme and Horizon Europe. If you’ve been following our newsletters, you’ll recognize both names - we’ve covered them extensively before. For those just joining in, everything you need is right here.
Guarding Healthcare - DEP Leads the Charge
Let’s start with the €55 million call launched under the Digital Europe Programme (DEP). This initiative is all about practical implementation - getting real tools into real institutions to strengthen cybersecurity today. Crucially, €30 million of this total is allocated specifically to boost digital security in hospitals and healthcare providers.
Why focus on healthcare? Because cyberattacks in this sector are rising rapidly. Hospitals hold sensitive personal data, rely on uninterrupted access to digital systems, and are often underfunded in IT security. A ransomware attack on a hospital doesn’t just shut down files - it can shut down life-saving care. The EU’s latest action plan on cybersecurity for healthcare underpins this effort, aiming to create detection, alert, and response systems that are faster, more intelligent, and more collaborative across Member States.
The Digital Europe Programme itself is one of the EU’s flagship initiatives for the 2021 - 2027 budget cycle. With a total budget exceeding €8 billion, DEP is designed to accelerate digital transformation across Europe - not just through research, but through tangible deployment of tech solutions. It covers areas like artificial intelligence, advanced digital skills, supercomputing, and, of course, cybersecurity. Unlike research-heavy programmes, DEP bridges the gap between tech development and real-world application.
Projects supported under this latest cybersecurity call can receive up to 75% or even 100% of eligible costs if combined with national funding, making it especially attractive for public bodies and smaller companies who might not have large co-financing capacities. Applications are open to entities from EU Member States as well as countries associated with the DEP.
If you’re interested in applying, the call is open now and runs until 7 October 2025. And if you're wondering how to get started, keep reading - we'll come back to that in just a moment.
Curious about DEP? We’ve already covered the EU’s new €1.3 billion investment under the Digital Europe Programme for 2025–2027 in one of our previous articles. You can find all the details on that topic here: Europe Commits €1.3 Billion to AI, Cybersecurity, Digital Transformation and Digital Skills.
From Lab to Launch - Horizon Europe Powers Cyber Progress
As mentioned, DEP addresses current cybersecurity needs, the second funding call under Horizon Europe looks ahead - investing €90.5 million in advanced cybersecurity research and innovation. Think technologies like post-quantum cryptography, privacy-preserving AI, threat intelligence platforms, and automated cyber response systems. This is where the EU is laying the groundwork for future-proof digital security.
Horizon Europe is the EU’s largest research and innovation framework, with a staggering €93.5 billion allocated for 2021–2027. The programme supports scientific excellence, global competitiveness, and societal resilience. Within Horizon Europe, cybersecurity falls under “Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society,” which is all about keeping Europe safe in an increasingly complex threat landscape - whether from natural disasters, pandemics, or digital warfare.
This new call under Horizon is ideal for those who are developing ambitious, high-tech cybersecurity solutions that might still be in the research or pilot stage. Universities, research institutes, tech SMEs, and public-sector innovators are all encouraged to apply. Horizon Europe typically covers up to 100% of eligible direct project costs.
Applications for this call are open until 12 November 2025. If your organization is sitting on an innovative cybersecurity idea or if you're already prototyping one this could be the time to take it to the next level.
We’ve previously unpacked Horizon Europe’s opportunities and structure in our earlier articles, which you can find archived here: New Horizon Funding Calls for a Future-Ready Europe.
Why Now and Why This Matters
There’s no sugar-coating it: the threat landscape is evolving at speed. From ransomware attacks on hospitals to state-sponsored cyberespionage, Europe’s digital infrastructure faces mounting challenges. The EU's funding strategy reflects an urgent need for both short-term resilience and long-term security.
The Digital Europe Programme focuses on shoring up defenses now, especially in sectors like healthcare, which are vulnerable yet essential. Meanwhile, Horizon Europe is laying a future-facing foundation through cutting-edge research, ensuring that Europe isn’t just reacting to cyber threats but actively staying ahead of them.
This dual-track approach - deploy and develop - is key to building not just safety, but strategic digital autonomy. That means reducing dependency on foreign technologies, improving response capabilities across borders, and supporting European companies and institutions in leading the charge. And here's the good news: the EU isn't just offering advice. It’s offering real money, real tools, and real opportunity.
We’ve also previously explored how cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated and dangerous - demanding faster, smarter responses from organisations -and why Security Operations Centers (SOCs) play a critical role in meeting today’s cybersecurity challenges. If this topic interests you, you can read the full article here: Strengthening Cybersecurity with Security Operations Centers (SOCs) and Digital Europe Initiatives.
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💡TikoBits
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We help you turn innovative ideas into funded success stories. Whether you have a project that’s still taking shape or a fully formed concept already in progress, we guide you from the very first step.
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Your Opportunity Starts Here
This latest announcement marks a major milestone in the EU’s efforts to secure its digital infrastructure: a total of €145.5 million dedicated to strengthening cybersecurity, with a strong emphasis on protecting the most vulnerable systems, like those in healthcare. Through the Digital Europe Programme, €55 million is now available - including €30 million specifically aimed at helping hospitals and healthcare providers detect, respond to, and recover from cyber threats. Meanwhile, Horizon Europe adds €90.5 million to the mix, fuelling innovation in next-generation cybersecurity technologies - from privacy-preserving AI to quantum-resistant encryption. Together, these calls represent a twin-track strategy: reinforcing Europe’s digital resilience today while investing in the breakthroughs of tomorrow.
Both calls are now open. Digital Europe has a deadline of 7 October 2025, while Horizon Europe applications close on 12 November 2025. Whether your organisation is working on operational upgrades or cutting-edge research, this is a unique opportunity to get your project funded and make a real impact.
If your organisation has something to contribute - this is the moment to act. And if you’re unsure where to start, don’t worry. That’s exactly what we’re here for. With the right support, navigating EU funding doesn't have to be overwhelming. At Tiko Pro, we turn good ideas into funded success stories - and we’d love to help you do the same.